An epic contest in Cahir proves a delight

The Angelus bell was ringing as the team buses arrived for the All-Ireland Under-16A Championship final.

A happy group of Cork supporters made their way to the venue. Faces painted, wearing red and white head-bands. Smiling.

A big Cork contingent travelled. But there were many Dubs in the congregation too. Dublin contained some distinguished names – Rachael Hargan, daughter of Gerry, and Tessa Lambe, daughter of Robbie.

Gerry and Robbie were top defenders. The pre-match talk reflected on the inspirational Michael Fitzsimons.

His club colleague, Maedbh Le Roux, has also shown all of Michael’s inspiring attitude during a campaign which has seen the Dubs collect their first All-Ireland Under-16A Championship title since 2010.

After extra-time, it was 4-12 to 3-9. An absorbing contest on a delightful summer’s evening.

Spectators came through the gates with their 99s. The referee and his officials had time for a quick cup of tea and a plate of sandwiches.

It’s a charming venue. There’s an astro surface and a ball wall. A ladder led up to the scoreboard.

The Cahir club were selling tickets for their raffle. The jackpot was €8,000. “I’m the lucky seller,” laughed the woman behind the table.

The ground is right opposite the church. And the people that witnessed this game were truly blessed.

After he announced each team line-up, the man on the tannoy asked for a round of applause. The crowd didn’t stop clapping all night.

Most of the attendance gathered on the embankment which was covered by a roof. The atmosphere crackled.

Both teams were so fit. The pace was frantic. The ball constantly moving from one end to the other.

If the referee, Paul McCaughey, had left his whistle at home, nobody would have noticed.

The tempo was set straight from the throw-in. Within seconds, Ellen Joyce was racing through on the Cork goal. Wham. The net danced.

The volume just kept rising from that moment. Both sides doing themselves proud. Pure football at its best.

On the way back to the city, there was a full moon. And, no doubt, the Liffey had an extra tint of blue.

Ellen Joyce scored Dublin’s first goal and made the second for Lucy Ahern. Niamh O’Sullivan’s left foot brought Cork’s goal. After which Dublin struck the post through Joyce and Kate O’Toole.

Cork made the sharpest of starts to the second period. Points from Brianna Smith, Amy Sheppard and Aoibhínn O’Neill. The Dubs got two points from Siobhán Birnie.

Izzy Dowling then cracked in a goal for Dublin. The cheers could be heard back in Ringsend. Yet, immediately, O’Neill replied with a Cork goal.

Coming to the final whistle, Deirdre Cronin edged Cork in front. But Ellen Leddy Doyle’s free sent the tie to extra-time.

That’s when Dublin made their move, scoring the first four points – from Joyce, Dowling, Doyle and Ahern. Dublin were ahead at half-time in extra-time by 3-10 to 2-9.

And when the first score of the second period of extra-time was a goal from Líadan Murphy, it looked like the Dubs were home. But not before Cork’s Éabha O’Donovan converted a penalty.

The brilliant Birnie struck the last point of what was, most certainly, one enchanted evening.

Thankfully, Jerome Quinn was there to film it. And if you get a chance, and if you haven’t already done so, make the time to sit back and savour every second of the action.

“Two outstanding teams,” declared Dublin manager Fintan Keeling. “There was nothing in it. Absolutely nothing in it. Cork had chances. We had chances. We just got the break of the ball in extra-time.

“The players have worked so hard all year. And it paid off in the end. They produced a super performance. “It’s a wonderful group to be a part of. And we couldn’t be prouder of them.”

Across the way, Cork chief Dominic Gallagher banished the disappointment of the defeat to also praise the display of both sides.

“It was an marvellous game of football. From two exceptional teams,” stated Dominic. “The play was up and down the field. It ended 4-12 to 3-9. There were some great scores.

“I didn’t think there was much in it. Maybe we could have won it in normal time, but, in saying that, I felt that Dublin were superb.”